That’s exactly why National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) launched the Journal of Fitness, Wellness, and Human Performance™ (JFWHP), a peer‑reviewed scientific publication designed to close the gap between academic research and applied coaching.

Whether you’re a personal trainer, practitioner, educator, or student, the Journal of Fitness, Wellness, and Human Performance delivers credible, practice‑ready insights you can use right away. No theory without application. Just cutting-edge research built for real‑world results.

Creatine + Protein for Strength and Hypertrophy

One standout article, Combining Creatine and Protein Supplementation to Optimize Resistance Training Adaptations: A Narrative Review from the January 2026 issue of Journal of Fitness, Wellness, and Human Performance explores whether combining creatine and protein supplementation creates a bigger training advantage than protein alone.

Short answer? Yes: For many clients, the combination may amplify both strength and hypertrophy gains. That matters because clients don’t just ask, “Should I take creatine?”

They ask strategic questions like:

• Would combining creatine and protein help me build strength or muscle more effectively than using protein alone?
• How should I time my creatine and protein intake to best support my training goals?
• Is there an evidence‑based way to pair supplementation with my current program to improve performance or recovery?

Here’s how to apply the research today:

• Individualize when progress stalls: For plateauing in strength, combining both creatine and protein may be a strategic next step alongside focused periodization.
• Pair supplementation with progressive overload: Clients in a hypertrophy‑focused phase may see enhanced adaptations when creatine and protein are used together.
• Simplify timing: Creatine and protein don’t rely on precise timing as once believed; consistency is the priority.

Want a deeper dive into these personal training insights? Click here to read the full article.

Time‑Efficient Training

Let’s be honest: one of the most common obstacles you hear from clients is time.

The January 2026 issue of Journal of Fitness, Wellness, and Human Performance also highlights smart programming strategies—drop sets, rest‑pause sets, and supersets—in the article, Time-Efficient Resistance Training: Bridging Science and Practical Implementation.

In fact, this research supports maintaining or even improving strength and hypertrophy outcomes when training time is limited.

Here’s how to apply the research today:

• Optimize volume and intensity when frequency drops: Total volume and intensity matter more than rigid weekly frequency or long-duration workouts. If a client can only train twice this week, stack quality sets more efficiently within those sessions.
• Run a superset‑dominant session: Pair non-competing movements (e.g., push/pull or upper/lower) to maintain intensity while cutting rest time. For example, alternate dumbbell chest press and seated row for 3 to 4 rounds with short, controlled rest; use rest‑pause finisher on the last set.

Want a deeper dive into these personal training insights? Click here to read the full article.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters for Personal Trainers

Journal of Fitness, Wellness, and Human Performance isn’t just a publication; it’s a practical resource built for your day‑to‑day coaching.

Every article is designed to:

• Break down emerging science
• Elevate the standard of evidence‑based coaching
• Offer strategies you can apply the same day
• Translate findings into practical steps

If you’ve ever wanted research that actually fits into a client session—not just something that sits in an academic journal—this is where you’ll find it.

Want Full Access and Future Issues?

Both featured studies—plus the entire journal—are included with NASM One™, and members receive every future issue.

What is NASM One?

NASM One is a membership that simplifies your learning, expands opportunities, and builds confidence in your fitness and wellness career.

Here’s how it helps you move forward:

• Access to Journal of Fitness, Wellness, and Human Performance
• Continuous support via NASM Community™—your hub for mentorship, questions, and real‑world advice from coaches at every stage.
• No renewal, retest, or extension fees while your membership is active.*
• Professional tools that help you train smarter and run your business.
• Unlimited access to 350+ courses in the CEU Library.**
• 50% off certifications and specializations.***

Do You Have Research or Applied Insights Worth Publishing?

Journal of Fitness, Wellness, and Human Performance welcomes submissions from coaches, educators, practitioners, and researchers. If you’re doing meaningful work, we encourage you to contribute.

Strong submissions are:

• Aligned with accepted article types (original research, reviews, case studies, CATs, technical notes).
• Clear, actionable, and practice‑focused
• Evidence‑based and accurately sourced
• Meaningful to the field
• Professionally structured

Submit your research.

Better coaching starts with better evidence. Read Journal of Fitness, Wellness, and Human Performance and unlock complete access with NASM One.

*Recertification, renewal, and retest fees waived while NASM One membership is active: Fee waivers do not include recertification/renewal late fees or petition fees; Standard recertification/renewal requirements still apply; Standard retesting wait periods still apply.

**Exact number of courses subject to change. Not all courses are approved for NASM/AFAA CEUS: Approved providers will be clearly marked on the course description page within the platform; Standard suspension rules apply for access to courses.

***Excludes CPT and bundles with CPT. Exams, workshops, Gymternship, administrative fees, re-enroll packages, and courses included in NASM One do not get the 50% discount.